Internally illuminated sign structure and unit therefor



y 3 1951 J. A. HOWENSTINE I 2,56

INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN 7 STRUCTURE AND UNIT THEREFOR Filed April 6,1950 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 .[NV EN TOR. JA MES A. Howmsmve July 31, 19 1 J.A. HOWENSTINE 53 INTERNALLY ILLUMINATEDSIGN v STRUCTURE AND UNITTHEREFOR Filed April6, 1950 i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES A. H0WENST/NE Patented July 31, 1951 INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN STRUC- TUBEAND UNIT THEREFOR James A. Howenstine, Lima, Ghio, assignor to NeonProducts, Inc., Lima, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 6,1950, Serial No. 154,317

6 Claims.

Thi invention relates to illuminated signs and more particularly to anarrangement whereby signs consisting of a double face disc which isilluminated by an external light source may be converted to aninternally illuminated sign hav-- ing translucent faces.

At the present time there are many signsin for readily convertingexisting externally lighted,

signs to internally lighted signs provided with translucent faces.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adapter structurewhich can be readily mounted in the frame of such a sign to replace thedisc thereof, the adapter structure comprising a hollow sign assemblyhaving spaced plastic faces illuminated by an internal light source, theassembly being supported within the circular frame of the aforementionedsigns.

The above other objects and features of this invention will in part beapparent and in part be obvious from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is View in front elevation of an illuminated sign structureconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention, part ofone face and of the framework thereof being broken away for clarity ofdetail;

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken along line II--II in Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in section of a sign embodying theinvention, taken along line lIIIII of Fig. 1 illustrating details ofconstruction of the light tube mounting and sockets;

Fig. 4.- is a fragmentary View in section taken along line IV-IV in Fig.1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section taken along line V--V in Fig. 1.

Throughout the drawings and specification like reference charactersindicate like parts.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sign structure and ring In provide asupporting frame which carries and supports the sign structure. Manypresently existing sign structures include this type of frame ring andupright. Such existing signs carry exteriorly lighted sign discs. Suchexteriorly lighted sign discs may be replaced by the sign structure ofthe present invention to form a handsome internally illuminated signhaving spaced plastic discs or panels I6 and ll illuminated byfluorescent tubes ll between the discs.

Discs l6 and Il are spaced from the frame ring by. filler rings or bandsI8 and I9 which determine the width of the sign. The filler rings aremounted on opposite sides ofthe flange of frame ring 19, and are ofchannel shape in sec tion with the flanges thereof projecting inwardly.Each filler ring is of substantially the same diameter as frame ring [0,and a portion of each filler Filler ring 18 carries transverse ribs 2!!which extend across filler ring I8. End portions of each rib 29] extendat right angles thereto and are seated between the flanges of fillerring I8 as indicated at 20. The ribs not only serve to strengthen andreinforce the sign but also, serve to support a pair of insulatorholding members 2| which carry insulators for the ends of fluorescenttubes ll. In addition, ribs Eli are attached to angle brackets 2| tohold the filler rings in place on the frame ring. I

Angle brackets 2| are mounted in the channel of filler ring it. Brackets2i and ribs 20 are drawn together by bolts 22 to hold the filler ringsagainst the flange of frame ring Iii. In addition, pairs of anglebrackets 23 may be provided at the sides of the sign as shown in Figs. 1and 4 to hold the sides of the filler rings against the flange of framering 10.

The open side of filler ring it is covered by panel it, while the openside of filler ring [9 is covered by panel ll. When the panels are inplace, a closed hollow structure is formed which is illuminated fromwithin by fluorescent tubes ll. Panel is is framed by a molding 24 ofF-shape in cross-section. As shown in Fig. 2,'the stem of molding 24embraces and is attached to the web of filler ring l8. Panel H is framedby a molding 26 of F-shape in cross-section having'a stem which embracesand is attached to the web of filler ring 19. V

As already pointed out, transverse ribs 20 support insulator holdingmembers 2 l. Members 2| may be bolted or otherwise firmly attachedthereto. Members 2| are of channel shape in section, as shown in Fig. 3,with the webs of the channels facing each other. The web of each member2| is provided with apertures in which insulators 21 and 21' aremounted.

As shown in Fig. 3, each of the insulators has a base section 28 ofchannel shape. From the web of the base section, a neck section 29containing a socket opening projects in a direction away from thechannel flanges. The insulators are securely mounted in the members 2|with their neck sections projecting through the apertures in the web asshown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Insulators 21 in the lower conduit areprovided with fixed contacts 3| while insulators 21 in the upper conduitare provided with resilient contacts 32. Each of the fluorescent tubesextends between one of the upper insulators and one of the lowerinsulators.

When a tube is to be removed from the sign structure, the tube mayberaised to compress the resilient contact sufliciently to permit releaseof the tube from the lower insulator. Then, the tube can be removed. Anew tube may be mounted in the sign structure by inserting the upper endof the new tube on the upper insulator and raising the tube to compressspring contact 32 suificiently to permit entry of the lower end of thetube into the lower insulator. The construction of the insulators isdescribed in greater detail and claimed in the co-pending application ofKenneth F. Smith, Serial No. 148,970 filed March 10, 1950.

For clarity, electrical leads have been omitted, but it will beunderstood that appropriate electrical leads may be connected to thecontacts to supply power to the tubes. In Figs. 1 and 2, boxes 33 areshown which can enclose transformers .necessaryfor operating the tubes.Transformer boxes 33 may be bolted toribs 20.

Having thus described the invention it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that various modifications and changes may be made in theillustrated embodiment of the invention without departing from eitherthe spirit or the scope of the invention.

Therefore, whatis claimed as new and is desired to be secured by LettersPatent is:

,1. A sign unit adapted to be assembled in a hollow frame band open atone side and having an inwardly extending flange, said ,unit comprisinga filler frame band adapted to be embraced on one side by said hollowband, the flange of the hollow band engaging a margin of the filler bandat said one side thereof, means .for attaching the filler band to thehollow band, a molding .of substantially F-shape in section, the stem ofsaid molding embracing the other margin of said filler band, the bars ofsaid molding forming an inwardly facing .closed loop channel, and atranslucent panel having its marginal edge seated .in said channel, thepanel closing the open side of the hollow band.

2. A sign unit adapted to be assembled in a hollow frame band open atone side and having an inwardly extending flange, said unit comprising afiller frame band adapted to be embraced on one side by said hollowband, the flange of the hollow band engaging a margin of the fillerbandat one side thereof, the margin of the filler band embraced by saidhollow band being provided with an inwardly extending flange die-- posedto engage the flange of the hollow band, means for securing the flangeof the filler band to the flange of the hollow band, a molding ofsubstantially F-shape in section, the stem of said molding embracing theother margin of said flller band, the bars of said molding forming aninwardly facing closed loop channel, and a translucent panel having itsmarginal edge seated inside said channel, the panel closing the openside of the hollow band.

3. A sign unit adapted to be assembled in a hollow frame band open atone side and having an inwardly extending flange, said unit comprising afiller frame band having inwardly flanged margins adapted to be embracedon one side by said hollow band, the flange of the hollow band engagingone of the flanges of the filler band, means for securing said one ofthe flanges of the flller band to the flange of the hollow band, amolding of substantially F-shape in section, the stem of said moldingembracing the other margin of said filler band, the inner bar of themolding abutting the other flange of the filler band, the bars of saidmolding forming an inwardly facing closed loop channel, and atranslucent panel having its marginal edge seated in said channel, thepanel closing the open side of the hollow band.

4. In a sign structure, the combination of a frame band of T-shape insection, the leg of said '1' forming an inwardly extending flange, meansfor supporting said frame band in vertical position, a filler banddisposed within the frame band on each side of the flange thereof, meansfor holding the inner margins of said filler bands in engagement withthe flange of the frame band, the cross bar of the T of the frame bandembracing the inner edges of both filler bands, a molding band ofF-shape in section disposed at the outer edge of each filler band withthe stem of each molding band embracing the outer margin thereof, thebars of each molding band forming an inwardly facing channel, and atranslucent panel supported by each molding, the marginal edge of eachpanel being seated in the channel of its associated molding band andclosing one of the sides of the frame band to form a hollow structurewithin which lighting fixtures may be housed.

5. In a sign structure, the combination of a frame band of T-shape insection the leg of said T forming an inwardly extending flange, meansfor supporting said frame band in vertical position, a channel shapedfiller band disposed within the frame band on each side of the flangethereof, means for holding the inner margins of said filler bands inengagement with the flange of the frame band, the cross bar of the T ofthe frame band embracing the inner edges of both filler bands, a moldingband of F-shape in section disposed at the outer edge of each fillerband with the stem of each molding band embracing the outer margin ofone of the filler bands, the bars of each molding band forming aninwardly facing channel, and a translucent panel supported by eachmolding, the marginal edge of each panel being seated in the channel ofits associated molding band, and closing one of the sides of the frameband to form a hollow structure within which lighting fixtures may behoused.

6. In a sign structure, the combination of a frame band of T-shape insection, the leg of said T forming an inwardly extending flange, means 7for supporting said frame band in vertical posi- 5 tion, achannel-shaped filler band disposed within the frame band on each sideof the flange thereof, means for holding the inner margins of saidfiller bands in engagement with the flange of the frame band, the crossbar of the T of the frame band 5 embracing the inner edges of bothfiller bands, a molding band of F-shape in section disposed at the outeredge of each filler band with the stem of each molding band embracingthe outer margin of one of the filler bands, the bars of each moldingband forming an inwardly facing channel, a translucent panel supportedby each molding, the marginal edge of each panel being seated in thechannel of its associated molding band and closing one of the sides ofthe frame band to form a hollow structure within which lighting fixturesmay be housed, and a plurality of frame reinforcing ribs extendingtransversely of the sign structure between the translucent panels, eachend of each rib being attached to the filler bands, the ribs supportingilluminating fixtures, said illuminating fixtures being adapted toilluminate 10 both of said panels.

JAMES A. HOWENSTINE.

No references cited.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,562,553 July 31, 1951 JAMES A.HOWENSTINE It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows:

Column 1, lines 46 and 47, strike out Throughout the drawings andspecification like reference characters indicate like parts; line 48,after structure insert includes a circular frame 'r'z'ng or banal 10 ofT-shape in section which is mounted at the top of an upright post 12.Post 12;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, sothat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOfiice.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of October, A. D. 1951.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

